Jacks outdueled by Pokes

In perhaps its most
publicized dual this season, South Dakota State battled Western Wrestling
Conference leader Wyoming in Spearfish, S.D.

On the campus of
Black Hills State, SDSU wrestled Wyoming tough, but was unable to hold off the Cowboys in the late matches and lost 21-13.

Aaron Pickrel opened
the dual versus Tyler Cox at 125 pounds. Pickrel wrestled tough, but was unable
to keep pace as Cox pulled away for a 15-4 major decision to put Wyoming on top
early.

In the 133-pound
match, Brance Simms faced Kasey Garnhart. Simms wrestled with control and poise
in a low-scoring match. In the third period, Simms scored a late takedown,
notching a 3-1 decision to put the Jacks on the board.

Ben Gillette squared
off versus Kyle Komata at 141. The match was similar to the dual opener, as
Gillette competed hard but was unable to keep pace and Komata pushed the Pokes
lead back to four with a 13-8 decision.

At 149, SDSU-wins
leader Dustin Walraven took on Brandon Richardson. As if a pattern was forming,
the match had similar characteristics to that of 133. Walraven bought his time
and made his moves count, posting a 7-2 decision and pulling SDSU within one,
once again.

In the 157-pound
match, Cody Pack lined up versus one of two ranked Cowboys, No. 13 Andy
McCulley (InterMat). Pack pushed McCulley to the limit, but was unable to score
enough, as Wyoming scored a 7-3 decision to push its lead back to four.

The Pokes led 10-6 at
the intermission.

After the break, Joe Brewster faced Jace Jensen, who was not in Wyoming's probable starters, at 165
pounds. Brewster made his match count, tying the team score at 10-10 with an
11-3 major decision. Four matches remained to decide the winner of the dual.

At 174, John Nething II took on LJ Helbig, who wrestled in the 285-pound slot for Wyoming last
season. Nething II took an early lead, but was unable to hold on. Once again,
the Cowboys forged ahead with a narrow, 6-4 decision and a three-point team
score lead.

Shea Nolan lined up
versus Shane Woods at 184. Nolan was unable to get on the scoreboard, but kept
it within seven in a decision loss.

The decision pushed
the Wyoming lead to 16-10 with two matches remaining, both must-wins for the
Jacks.

In the 197-pound
match, Joe Skow wrestled third-ranked Alfonso Hernandez. Hernandez scored
quickly and often and eventually scored a 19-3 technical fall early in the third
period. The win put the Wyoming lead out of reach.

J.J. Everard closed
the dual against Leland Pfeifer at 285. Everard was able to set the pace early and score a 12-9 decision, but it was not enough as the Cowboys won by eight points.

"I am extremely proud of how the guys wrestled, fought and
hustled," head coach Chris Bono said. "We still have a long way to go, but we are improving every day. The
guys did well, both the guys that won and the guys that were in a lot of
matches with the possibility to win. The team is improving every day. We are looking forward to our duals next
weekend and facing another tough conference team."

Next SDSU takes to the road for two
duals on Sunday, Jan. 27. The Jacks face host and conference foe Air Force and
Western State in Colorado Springs. Dual times are to be announced.